Berlin OH took us through Amish country. What a contrast to our glutinous form of capitalism. I came away so impressed by their work ethic, conservation, family life, simple clothing, horse and buggy or bicycles, and history. Even farming was done with horse drawn implements. They began in the 16th century as Anabaptist rejecting infant baptism in Europe. They came here in the early 1800's and have changed little except for several sects splitting off from a very conservative form to less. Why did I come away feeling envious of their lifestyles and habits?
We ended up in Buffalo NY next and stayed near Niagara Falls. We did not visit the falls as we had in the past but hiked the river a mile after the water comes over the falls. What a churning, boiling, raging body of water.
Canton OH is the site of the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Seeing all the players from my childhood as a Bear fan was fantastic. Gayle Sayers, Mike Ditka to name a few. Museums have been a highlight of this trip and are they something with the new graphics, technology, audio and video techniques. The amount of memorabilia donated is astonishing. People are so happy to give so all can see. The Winston-Salem NC football team was there on a "field trip", probably a trip planned by the coaching staff for an inspirational and bonding experience.
ZZ Top
Jimmie Hendrix wannabe
Janis Joplin wannabe
We spent time at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. There were soooo many people. I guess most of us are interested in a sport which has thousands of followers but who has not been touched in some way by Rock? I would guess about everyone world-wide. The place was full of videos, music, guitars, outrageous outfits, cars, and even "The Wall". What a walk through time from the early railroad gangs and cotton pickers singing to today's Hip Hop. One sign said " When music hits you, you feel no pain." Jimmy Hendrix said, "music is not an act but a state of joining music, the instrument, the soul and the body in one action with ones mind."
Paper mache fans
Totally from one piece of wood and lifesize
The last place was the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Here I relived my days listening to the Brooklyn Dodgers on the radio in the late fifties seemingly always against the Yankees. The museum spends no money to purchase items, only donated items are used and they have everything imaginable associated with "Americas Pastime". I wondered on the way there who would be the first players seen as I entered the front door. To the right was a large painting of Cy Young and then three wonderful statues of Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, and Lou Gehrig. Not just players but people who suffered socially, physically and doing for others. I suspect more people have ties to baseball with the interest passed down from one generation to the next than any other sport in this country. I have heard in the past few years that my Grandad Williams was headed to the minor leagues when WWII started and he enlisted instead. What a role model.
Seneca Falls: The Women's Rights National Historical Park: We visited this museum and also the Wesleyan Chapel where on July l9th and 20th, l848, about 300 women and men gathered to hear the first formal demands for women's rights. Curious local residents joined abolitionists, temperance workers, and reformers to fill the chapel! Even on this quiet day, sitting in a pew in this special chapel, you could feel this energy from the past and the cries for equal rights for women! We listened to a 30 min. talk about those historical moments here within these four, now silent, walls and the other efforts from other parts of this new United States! Women making a difference!!!
On the first day, those who participated debated the wording of the Declaration of Sentiments. The Seneca County Courier reported that "an intelligent respectful audience" attended the public session that evening to hear the "eminently beautiful and instructive discourse of Lucretia Mott". The next day's session, the amended declaration was adopted; 100 women and men signed the document. Frederick Douglass reiterated his support at the final session.
1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Quaker abolitionists Jane Hunt, Mary Ann M'Clintock, Lucretia Mott, Martha Wright held the first Women's Rights Convention demanding full and equal rights with men.
Lucy Stone champions reform both in her public life keeping her maiden name after marriage and also leading abolition and women's suffrage efforts.
l850, Boston women, including Lucy Stone, and other abolitionists organized the National Women's Right Convention in Worcester, Mass.; more than l,000 people attended. Subsequent state and national conventions were held in the l850's.
Elizabeth Stanton meets Quaker teacher Susan B. Anthony in Seneca Falls.
l872, Anthony and colleagues test the l4th and l5th Amendments by casting votes in N.Y.
Suffragists are arrested and fined.
l876, she and others crash the U.S. Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia Independence Hall demanding women's vote.
Other women throughout the Suffrage Yrs. and into the future:
Stanton's Daughter Harriot Stanton Blatch, Jane Addams, Alice Paul, Margaret Sanger, her sister Ethel Byrne.
Jeanette Rankin was the first woman voted into the U.S. Congress in l918
1920, the l9th Amendment is ratified, nicknamed the Susan B. Anthony Amendment stating that "the right of citizens of the U.S. to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the U.S. or by any state on account of sex."
1961, President's Commission on the Status of Women is established, headed by Eleanor Roosevelt successfully pushing for passage of Equal Pay Act, first federal law to require equal compensation for men and women in federal jobs.
Women and also men over the years have fought for these rights for women:
l) The right to vote.
2) Gender equality/equal employment opportunities
3) Protection of women's rights during a divorce
4) Promotion of higher education
5) Passage of sex harassment laws
6) Implement of laws/services to stop/protect against domestic violence of women
7) Reduce poverty and encourage economic growth for women
The work done by both women and men to make it possible for women to vote has, in short, been outlined above. The work and sacrifice by these determined people over the many, many years has made the above rights possible for all women in the United States of America. Women are still fighting for equal pay in all jobs and in many areas are still seeking equal rights.
Upon entering this museum, there are sculptures of the following people:
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Frederick Douglass, Martha Coffin Wright, Thomas and Mary Ann M'Clintock and others. Also on entering the museum, I noticed on a shelf the book which I have been reading over the past month......."Sisters of the Earth" by Lorraine Anderson.... " It is a stirring collection of women's writings on nature.....nature as healer....nature as delight.....nature as mother and sister......nature as victim......nature as companion and reminder of what is wild in us all." This book has many writings by women who have studied nature and have written how it has affected their lives.Super read!
Quotes by Susan B. Anthony:
"It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens, but we, the whole people, who formed the Union.
There never will be complete equality until women themselves help to make laws and elect lawmakers.
Unknown author:
Never let the hand you hold, hold you down.
A poem from the book.... "Sisters of the Earth" I wanted to share this with you and when reading it I thought about all women, girls, young ladies.
A poem by Ofelia Zepeda, a writer who is of the Papago Indian descent. She earned an M.A. and a PhD in Linguistics from the University of AZ. where she now teaches in the Departments of Linguistics and American Indian Studies. Her poem "The South Corner" from Ocean Power: Poems from the Desert 1995, acknowledges the pull that the light of the sun exerts on her and other animals as winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, arrives."
"The South Corner"
My body is in line.
It is at its darkest point,
but only for a short time.
Not enough time for madness or temporary depression to set in.
The darkest point is only a brief window of opportunity.
Opportunity for sadness, loneliness, falling out of love and other states associated with the lack of light.
But before the opportunity can be taken, the shadows turn.
The light becomes stronger, pulling me towards it.
The warmth, the promise it holds.
And so I begin another cycle
along with the animals, the plants, the oceans and winds and all who feel this same pull.
I come into balance.
I begin again.
It is only December twenty-second and it is already
starting to feel like summer.
By Janet:
Well I made an adventure to clear up some family history on my Dad's side of the family. I spoke with my cousin Barbara when in Wyoming and she cleared up something for me. My Paternal Grandfather, Frederick Eaton was raised only by his Father and was made to work when he was 9 years old. His Mother was ill for extended periods of time. Ty and I traveled to Portsmouth, Ohio where my Grandfather was born and married my Grandmother Goldie Hollis. Her parents were Newton Hollis and Shorlotte Hughes. I knew only the names of my Great Grandparents as being Tucker and Lillian Eaton. We searched and searched and found only the fact that his name was Tuck and her name was Lizzie Millirans. There were no other documents, marriage or death records in this county. So that was the end of my search. I did find out two other names; my Grandmother's parents names. Someday I can research those names, maybe Ancestry.com
So maybe not a total dead end!!!!!
People: Met two men from Bangladesh on a trail. One was a business man in Albany and the other was visiting this country. They spoke of being taught to respect themselves, others and to value the dollar through hard work. One told me if I gave his friend a hundred dollars it does not have the same value as if one earned a hundred. They spoke of the life expectancy being sixty six in their country due to poor diet, poverty, and the very inflated cost of health care and medicine. They each wanted their picture taken shaking my hand. That was very moving to me in this day of cultural and religious strife that tears countries apart. We walked and talked for maybe an hour, wish it could have been days.
Americana
Portsmouth OH mural along the river
Lunch on the beam
Nana does lots of sewing
For Christmas, don't tell Janet
Where Chloe hung out in the summer
Americana
